Born: August 4, 1901 Died: July 6, 1971 Nickname: Satchmo
site 3
Louis Armstrong was born to an unmarried couple, Mayann and William, on August 4, 1901 in New Orleans, Louisiana and had a sister, Beatrice. (2) He was raised in a poverty-stricken part of town, which enabled him to breaking the law on multiple occasions. When he shot a gun with blanks on New Year’s Eve at age 12, he was immediately sent to reform school. (4) This is where his first introduction to ragtime music occurred, and he was found to be a natural with the coronet. When Louis left the school at age 14, he still had an interest in music listening to the all time greats. By age seventeen, Louis was befriended by a famous Jazz artist, Joe “King” Oliver. (2) With Joe providing a trumpet to Louis, Louis was able to start his lifelong career in music playing for various bands, including an invite to move to Chicago and play with Joe’s band. While in Oliver’s band, Armstrong was able to learn different styles of music, including dance music, silent films, and nightclub floor shows. (3) He married Lillian Hardin in 1924, and she encouraged him to move on to the next step in his career.
site 4
Armstrong began performing in recording sessions with various Blues singers in New York, and then returning to Chicago, formed his own band The Hot Five and recorded an album under his own name for the first time. He also perfected his well-known improvisations with his trumpet and later changed his band to The Hot Seven. (2) Armstrong performed with this band from 1925 until 1929 and his first big hit “Ain’t Misbehaving” made his success swell. Louis and his orchestra continued recording and performing for several years before realizing he needed a change in style. (5) He formed “The All-Stars” band and gained popularity in many countries touring for the next twenty years of his life throughout the United States, Asia, Africa, and Europe. (4) During this time, he and his wife were divorced, since the touring made it difficult to maintain a marriage. In 1968, Armstrong had another huge success with his version of “Hello Dolly “followed by “What a Wonderful Life.” (1) Louis Armstrong had reached the height of his career as a Jazz artist and soloist trumpeter and, as his health declined over the last three years of his life, he still managed to do recordings. He had brought life to rock and roll, blues, and jazz through his performances and break through racial barriers at the time. He became known as America’s Jazz Ambassador. (5) He died on July 6, 1971 at his home in Queens, New York of heart trouble. More than 20,000 people attended his funeral to pay their respects.
Biography of Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong
Born: August 4, 1901
Died: July 6, 1971
Nickname: Satchmo
Armstrong began performing in recording sessions with various Blues singers in New York, and then returning to Chicago, formed his own band The Hot Five and recorded an album under his own name for the first time. He also perfected his well-known improvisations with his trumpet and later changed his band to The Hot Seven. (2) Armstrong performed with this band from 1925 until 1929 and his first big hit “Ain’t Misbehaving” made his success swell. Louis and his orchestra continued recording and performing for several years before realizing he needed a change in style. (5) He formed “The All-Stars” band and gained popularity in many countries touring for the next twenty years of his life throughout the United States, Asia, Africa, and Europe. (4) During this time, he and his wife were divorced, since the touring made it difficult to maintain a marriage. In 1968, Armstrong had another huge success with his version of “Hello Dolly “followed by “What a Wonderful Life.” (1) Louis Armstrong had reached the height of his career as a Jazz artist and soloist trumpeter and, as his health declined over the last three years of his life, he still managed to do recordings. He had brought life to rock and roll, blues, and jazz through his performances and break through racial barriers at the time. He became known as America’s Jazz Ambassador. (5) He died on July 6, 1971 at his home in Queens, New York of heart trouble. More than 20,000 people attended his funeral to pay their respects.
- Louis Armstrong Lyrics
Works Consulted
1. Crouch, Stanley. "The Time 100: Louis Armstrong." Time. Time Magazine. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/armstrong4.html >.
2. Devito, Mary, comp. "Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong (1901 - 1971)." Red Hot Jazz. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.redhotjazz.com/louie.html >.
3. "Louis Armstrong." Who2. 2008. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://who2.com/ask/louisarmstrong.html >.
4. "Louis Armstrong." Rock Hall. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/louis-armstrong>.
5. "Louis Armstrong." 7 Mar. 2008 <http://ilovejazz.tripod.com/jazz/louisarmstrong.html>.
6. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong. Perf. Louis Armstrong. 2006. YouTube. 7 Mar. 2008 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnRqYMTpXHc>.